Forced to flee with her village, priestly
apprentice, Althessa, discovers that danger comes in many guises and salvation
is often unexpected. When their undead pursuers are slain by an unknown force,
Althessa assists her mistress in consecrating their remains to ensure they
cannot return from the dead, yet again. But magick calls from a nearby forest,
and another life is in danger. One of those responsible for bringing down their
pursuers is balanced on the edge of death. With the priests too busy to assist,
and only her wizardly brother to help her, can Althessa perform the healing
required, or will the attempt bring death to all who dare it?
Magick
on the Forest’s Edge is a fantasy short story, where two children investigate a magical
alarm, and face the consequences of trying to do the right thing against great
odds.
Published: June 8, 2013
First Page: Magick on the Forest's Edge
They
were three weeks into their flight before the forest came into view. It had
been hard, moving an entire village with little more than a night’s notice,
harder still to avoid the undead warriors pursuing them. Winter was drawing
perilously near. It meant respite from the endless pursuit, but certain
destruction if shelter for the season wasn’t found.
Althessa
was wakened by Rowany, her mentor and priestess to Beresia. Having slept the
day, they hurried to receive the evening meal Althessa’s mother, Mallee, and
the other village women had prepared.
It
was bread, cold mutton, and cheese, again, but no one minded enough to
complain. The food was filling and took little time to prepare and consume.
Time took precedence over even the smallest of matters in their flight, and the
laird had promised a change to their diet as soon as they were free of
Escarlion’s borders, and the creatures on their trail.
Once
they’d eaten, Rowany took Althessa to join the other priests in their evening
supplications. Tonight their prayers would call the starlight and the snow
breezes; one to guide them, the others to cover their tracks.
Althessa
rejoiced in the prayers. She could feel herself growing in Beresia’s favor and
power each time she communed with the goddess. She reveled in the goddess’s
pleasure, rejoicing in the service she had found.
Even
the king’s prejudice against the priesthoods could not spoil her joy. Althessa
lifted her voice and blended it with the prayers of the other priests, calling
the goddess’s attention to the villagers’ need once more. And, once more,
Althessa felt the gods answer in chorus and her eyes filling with tears of joy
at their reply.
She
saw the intensity of her feelings reflected in the faces of the other priests.
All had had felt the comfort of their gods, before, but this chorus of gods was
something still new to them, and they treasured it.
The starlight shone around them, gilding the
coming night in silver. Althessa stared in wonder. Around her, the same wonder
touched all the villagers’ faces, as they arranged themselves in the marching
order dictated by their laird. Tonight they would reach the forest’s edge, and
safety.
END FIRST PAGE
If you would like to read more Magick on the Forest’s
Edge can now be
found at Smashwords, Kindle, Kobo, Nook and iTunes.
